A friend of mine once said those of us who like the darkness are not ourselves dark or cruel--but we don't flee from the shadows in our lives. We face them, seek to explore them. I've mentioned this to some, and gotten a blank look of bafflement in reply. But this show proves a shining (heh) example of what my friend understood. NORMAL lets us into the darkest, most terrible and yet strangely attractive aspect of human life, inviting us to at least imagine what it would be like to live there. Darkness makes the light and all colors so much more beautiful, really. Evil is necessary if there is to be virtue, and cruelty can only be the opposite coin of kindness (and vice versa of course). Emerging from the Underworld, we are shaken but ...
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This might be one of the darkest shows I’ve seen at Fringe…and I loved every minute of it. We see the story of Peter Kurten, a German serial Killer, through flashbacks and current time meetings with his lawyer. What I liked about this show is that even in the world of being politically correct, where any little thing is scrutinized and protested, they followed through with showing some of the violence that Kurten had used. This is so important to do to make an impact. It was not exploitative, but emotional. You felt for these characters and the trauma they’ve been through.
We see Kurten play the role of master manipulator with his lawyer. Yes, this story is about Kurten, but it’s also the story of Jutus Wehner, his lawyer. We experience W...
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The cast was fantastic! Psychological drama that keeps audience on the edge of their seats. Highly entertaining! Story set in the distant past but told with innovative, modern touch. The visuals, the set - simple but striking!...
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This compelling, creepy, and relevant show shines through a very talented cast, strong direction, and excellent use of its lighting and set design to bring forth an almost immersive theatrical experience, that not only takes the audience on a thrilling, fast paced, dark ride, but somehow manages to use the events of 1931 Germany as a thought provoking way for one to question society and humanity. ...
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This is a really hard show to take on as actors and as a company, and they've tackled it whole-heartedly. It's, at times, really upsetting to watch, but it should be! This is not a show you want to miss, but prepare yourself before you go in. ...
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There were sections of play that were realistic, while others were surreal, but it all worked seamlessly together. It challenged my way of thinking about what is "normal" in our society vs what someone who is obviously depraved thinks is "normal". Who's right? How does this relate to the current times we live in? Do we change our understanding or perception when someone else is so strong in their convictions? Do we follow, or lead? All of these questions made the play so intriguing!...
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Creepy, eerie, and terrifying in the best way. I never knew what was coming next, and due to its immersive-ness, I felt like I was a part of the story the whole time. Very, very well done....
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